Hispanic Workers (Continued from Page 32) panding employee skills, Vinton Smith of Penn State on overcoming the language barrier, Dave Grusenmeyer of Cornell’s PRO-DAIRY on gaining multicultural acceptance in the community, and two attorney who spoke on legal issues surrounding immigrant workers. A panel made up of John Gatley, Leidy’s Inc., a pork processing company from Souderton; Logan Bower, dairy farmer from Blain, Perry County; and Jorge Estrada handled questions on promoting Hispanic workers to supervisory positions. Participants generally agreed that grooming Spanish-speaking workers for management posi tions has its challenges and can be a slow process, but is becoming an increasing necessity in order for farm operations to survive and thrive. As an example of the employment trend on dairy farms, Estrada noted that the number of Hispanic workers on Franklin County dairies increased from a total of three or four in the early 1990 s to more than 60 today. “Coaching and grooming is needed across all of your businesses,” Estrada said. “It takes time and it Quai LITY Concrete Walls Specializing: • Bunker Walls • Foundation Walls • Manure Stor Pou RED ** <K**f takes a plan.” Estrada said the increase in dairy herd sizes and number of employees on farms requires a “para digm shift” from “managing cows to managing people.” STOLTZFUS CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION 717-423-6974 Cumberland Co. Newburg, PA I
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